Following separation and a prior custody order granting joint custody with the children residing with the mother, the applicant sought current and retroactive child support while the respondent sought changes to access arrangements.
The existing order had suspended child support due to the significant travel required for access after the mother relocated with the children.
The court held that travel expenses for access do not replace the obligation to pay child support and that reasonable arrangements for child support must be ensured under the Divorce Act.
The respondent was ordered to begin paying guideline child support based on his income and to pay retroactive support from the date the application was commenced.
The court otherwise largely upheld the existing access structure, making only a minor order regarding the children’s communication device.
